Mountain Man Rendezvouz

This year for our Smullin Cousin Party, we had a "Mountain Man Rendezvous".

Our "camp" was in the middle of a neighborhood, in the middle of Ogden. It was amazing how much we felt like we were in the middle of nature though.

Jared & Teresa were our lovely hosts this year.


As we arrived Friday evening, we unpacked our car and set up our tent. Jared passed out a "possible bag" to each cousin. Grandma Smullin explained that in the days of mountain men, a possible bag was used to carry anything they could possibly need for the day. Mountain men carried black powder and "hard tack" to eat. Our possible bag included a tin plate and a 'coon skin cap. The kids put on their caps and started to explore, taking advantage of all the fun things to do.

Jak

Ethel, Taylee & Jordyn

Lex, Carson, Treyson, Sarah, Matthew & Jordyn

Abree, Emma & Sarah

Joshua

Bob & Treyson

Nate, Colton & Jessica

There was a game room...well, actually it was more like a shed. It had arcade games, a pool table, foosball, rock climbing and more. If the "game shed" were the only thing to do, the kids would have been perfectly content.

It came in handy, if a meal was running late or there was a lapse in the schedule of events. They were perfectly entertained and NOT whining or complaining about hunger or boredom.

Happy kids= happy parents. :)

There were a lot of interesting things in camp. These solar yard lights became torches or flashlights for adventurous kids when it became dark UNTIL... grandpa noticed and made them put them back. Oops!

Where were the parents of those kids?! :)

"Tent City"

This was our "outhouse"...

that was a full-blown bathroom, running water and everything!
My kind of "roughing it". :)

I think Christian likes it.

One of the happiest babies on earth.

Lynley is cool with it too.

Grandma Smullin

Teresa & Melissa

Jason

Nate & Cathy

Sarah was our official chair arranger and re-arranger. She did a fabulous job of it.

Adam

For dinner we had "bear" stew and "hard tack" rolls... in our mountain man tins, of course.

Yum!

Aunt Jenny and Uncle Fred came to see us. Jenny practiced grandma-ing on Lynley...she's going to be a great grandma.

David said, "This is my Mountain Man look...

and this is my Indian look."

Catie & Rylee

Cameron

As it was getting dark, the campfire was stoked and s'mores were enjoyed.

When we were full and sticky enough, it was time for bed. It took a while for everyone to settle in their tents. There was some giggling, some hushing and a bit of crying, but we all eventually settled for the night... mostly. :)

It was a COLD night, but we all survived.

In the morning, Jared cooked breakfast burritos for us.

Jeremiah, Carson & Cameron

Jeremiah

Bob

After breakfast, the cousins were divided up into 4 groups.

There were 4 Mountain Man stations. As they completed each station, they collected animal skins to exchange at the "trading post".

Station 1: Decorate your possible bag with Grandma Smullin.

Joshua

Catie & Abree

Treyson

"Look Mom!"

Station 2: Learn how to read a compass and go on a hike with Uncle Jason.

Taylee, Jade, Joshua, Jason & Matthew

Station 3: Play ladder ball with instruction from Aunt Cathy.

Jak

Cameron

Sarah is D.O.N.E. done.

Station 4: BB gun shooting range with Uncle Jared and grandpa.

Cameron, Treyson, Abree & Colton

Jared & Joshua

The kids (and adults) loved this station. They all wanted to show off their holey targets and talk about how well they did. So proud.

At the "Trading Post" the kids could exchange their animal skins for candy.

Unfortunately Teresa was called into work.

Her job?...S.W.A.T. team scribe (just one part of her job actually). She had to go on a call where a guy had a warrant out for his arrest and had barracaded himself, and a hostage, in a house. It lasted all night and into the morning. The stand-off (Is that what it's called?) ended, when the S.W.A.T. team went in. The guy shot himself (still living last I heard)and the hostage girlfriend defended him all the way, being uncooperative with the police officers.

We all listened, as she described her rather exciting work day/night.

Still smiling!

See, I told you he was one of the happiest babies on earth.

As the day started to heat up, we packed it in.

On to the next adventure.....

Thank you Jared and Teresa for a great cousin party. We're finding lots of possibilities for our possible bags. :)

Father's Day Cards

***It is now safe to post this.***

This year, I wanted to make cards for Father's Day..for our dads.

I had Treyson and Abree help me with Grandpa Waite's.

I printed off pictures and logos of some classic luxury cars.

Then had Treyson and Abree draw them.
These were Abree's drawings.

Isn't her Jaguar logo so cute?

I cut out Treyson's cars and the printed off logos, then made this card.

"Grandpa, didn't know whether you wanted a (Cadillac, BMW, Jaguar) for Father's Day..."

"So here's a shiny LINCOLN!"

Finally found a good use for this cool big plastic coin. :)

Do you think he'll like it?

This is the one that I made for Jason's dad.

"tootsie pop"

"corn pops"

"lollipop"

"pop tart"

"soda pop"

"popcorn"

"best pop ever"

"My POP ROCKS"

Happy Father's Day Dads!

Gift Exchange

I'm doing another on-line gift exchange through "Craftaholics Anonymous".

My exchange partner mentioned (with the exception of Christmas), 4th of July was her favorite holiday.

I hope she meant it, because that's the direction I went. My idea was to create a "party pack"... everything you need for a successful 4th of July celebration.First thing I created was a red, white and blue banner for her mantle (or where ever she wants to put it). Next, I saw this awesome flag cake on-line, so printed off the picture and directions on how to make it, along with the cream cheese frosting recipe.Because I'm kinda banner-crazy, I made a flag cake banner to top the cake. I also made these firework cupcake toppers, just in case she wanted to go in the cupcake direction instead.

I gathered several yummy summer salad recipes that could go with her 4th of July BBQ dinner. And Tootsie Rolls, just because they were so festive and cute.

I hope she enjoys it.

Can't wait to see what's coming my way. :)

Movie Night at the Park

One of my kid's favorite things to do in the summer is... movie night at Settler's Park.

The City of Meridian sets up a huge inflatable screen, hooks up surround sound speakers and begins the show, after the sun starts setting.

Lizzy & Abree

Last Friday, was our first movie night of the season. Dean and Candice's family joined us.


Taylee & Micaela
The kids played on the playground equipment.

Candice & Levi

Some got their warm jammies on.

Danced to the music.

Jason, Dean & Levi

Jackson & Treyson

And started eating their snacks.

We bundled up, (it got cold!) as we watched, "Astro Boy".

I had to go get Rylee from a birthday party before the movie ended, so I missed the last little bit, but from what I saw it was alright... better than expected.

Thanks for the fun movie night cousins!

"First Grade, First Grade.. Here We Come!"

On the last day of school, Abree had her Kindergarten graduation/celebration/program.

The kindergarten classes performed several songs (with actions) that they had learned throughout the year.

Abree seemed slightly embarrassed at having to sing and perform these silly songs in front of the many eager parents. Some of the kids were WAY into it, others shared Abree's feelings, half-heartedly moving their arms.
Principal Priscilla Andersen, presented the kindergartners with attendance awards. Abree, like her big sister Taylee, received a "Faithful Attendance". She was so excited to tell Taylee.

They also received their "kindergarten award"... I guess it could be considered her graduation certificate. Abree & Mrs. Matthews... one of the best kindergarten teachers EVER. :)

We will miss you Mrs. Matthews!

Abree & Ainsley Ashby... a good buddy in school and in our ward.

I mostly held it together on this day, tearing up just a bit here and there.

Next year will be a new adventure... Rylee in high school, Taylee and Treyson moving up and Abree in 1st grade... in school for the WHOLE day!

I've been assured, by the ladies in my ward that are at this stage, that the first week might be hard, but after that it's ALL GOOD. :)